Amir Khan v Saul Alvarez

[Lefty08]

Found this earlier, thought I'd share it here to avoid creating another GGG thread. Since it involves Cinabuns, it's relevant to the thread

Canelo To Golovkin: Earn Your Shot, Work Your Way Up! - Boxing News

At this point I don't know if it's Oscar talking through Canelo, or if he really believes what he's saying. How does he go from "I'll fight anyone I'm not afraid of no one" after the Cotto fight to "he has to earn his right to fight me." ?

Telling the fighter who holds more middleweight belts than the "middleweight champion" and who fought more actual middleweights than the "champion" that he has to earn his shot is just completely absurd.

I really hope Khan somehow pulls this off & wins this fight.

[Master]

Amir Khan 'lacks power' to hurt Saul Alvarez

Amir Khan has admitted he lacks the power to hurt Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez in their WBC middleweight title fight in Las Vegas on Saturday.

However, Britain's Khan said his speed and movement would win the day.

Britain's Khan, 29, is jumping two weight classes to challenge Mexico's Alvarez, although the match has been made at a catch-weight of 155lb.

"I'm going to hit Canelo and he's probably not going to feel it, but skill is going to win it," said Khan.

"I don't want to be involved in exchanges, standing in front of him giving him free shots. I know he can hurt me with one big shot.

"So I have to make sure I'm balanced when I'm throwing my own shots. It's all about being disciplined and sticking to the game-plan for 12 rounds.

"Before, I've not respected guys who have knocked me down or out. This fight I know I can be hurt so I'll be on the edge and my defences will be sharper.

Amir Khan has admitted he lacks the power to hurt Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez in their WBC middleweight title fight in Las Vegas on Saturday.

However, Britain's Khan said his speed and movement would win the day.

Britain's Khan, 29, is jumping two weight classes to challenge Mexico's Alvarez, although the match has been made at a catch-weight of 155lb.

"I'm going to hit Canelo and he's probably not going to feel it, but skill is going to win it," said Khan.

"I don't want to be involved in exchanges, standing in front of him giving him free shots. I know he can hurt me with one big shot.

"So I have to make sure I'm balanced when I'm throwing my own shots. It's all about being disciplined and sticking to the game-plan for 12 rounds.

"Before, I've not respected guys who have knocked me down or out. This fight I know I can be hurt so I'll be on the edge and my defences will be sharper.

Alvarez could be as heavy as 175lb on fight night, almost a stone heavier than the challenger. But the Mexican, who turned pro at the age of 15, believes Khan will be surprised by his own skills.

"I'll show a lot more than power, you'll see," said Alvarez, who is hoping to mark the Mexican celebration of Cinco de Mayo with his 47th win in his 49th fight.

"I bring speed as well. Whatever he brings, I'm prepared for. My best years are yet to come."

Khan also had a message for United States presidential hopeful Donald Trump, who has made controversial remarks about Muslims and Mexicans during his campaign for the Republican candidacy.

"This could be the last fight for me and Canelo if Donald Trump becomes president," said Khan, whose match with Alvarez will be the first at Vegas's 20,000-capacity T-Mobile Arena.

Amir Khan 'lacks power' to hurt Saul Alvarez - BBC Sport

[Master]

Amir Khan is a changed man as he looks to upset Saul Alvarez and claim his world title

Like a phantom punch thrown from an unfathomable angle, it was a fight announcement that caught the boxing world cold. Even Amir Khan's trainer was caught napping. "I really didn't like the fight at all," says Virgil Hunter.

Many boxing fans viewed Khan's match against Mexican wrecking ball Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez as career suicide, akin to a Kamikaze mission: set co-ordinates for the T-Mobile Arena, approach at top speed, disintegrate on impact.

Others have dubbed it man against boy, with Alvarez - four years younger but naturally brawnier - playing the grown-up. But Khan has heard this all before. And even when he was actually a boy, he was teaching the men a lesson.

"The selectors didn't want to send me to the 2004 Olympics. They said I wasn't good enough and would get beaten up," Khan tells BBC Sport.

"But I reached the final at the age of 17 and only just lost to Mario Kindelan, who was the reigning Olympic and three-time world champion. I shocked the world and I can do it again."

Khan was the only British boxer to qualify for the Athens Games, which made for some lonely moments in the Olympic village. But a silver medal dangling from your neck does wonders for your popularity, at least in the short term.

"When I returned to Britain, everyone was asking for my autograph. I'd never signed anything in my life. I just scribbled my name really fast, so it looked like I knew what I was doing. Before the Olympics I could do anything I wanted but life totally changed."

Khan thought about staying on for the 2008 Olympics but with telephone numbers being barked at him by various promoters and a family to think of, he turned over to the pro ranks instead. Inevitably, life got far more complicated.

Khan made his pro debut a few days after the 2005 London bombings and was suddenly a reluctant mouthpiece for so-called moderate British Muslims.

"That was a difficult time. It was my dream fight but I couldn't enjoy the moment because the bombings were committed by young Muslim people. I went into the ring holding a British flag because I wanted to send a message: 'Look, we were brought up in England, we have to respect our roots.'"

A couple of years earlier, Khan had been a hyperactive kid fighting for kicks at Bury Amateur Boxing Club. Now he was a political pawn while still a teenager. Having to be so many things to so many different people, while still trying to be yourself and enjoy the fruits of your success, must be wearing in the extreme.

Three years after his debut victory over David Bailey at Bolton's Reebok Arena, which was accompanied by a welter of media articles trumpeting his cross-community appeal and unifying potential, Khan was being booed to the rafters having been knocked out in less than a minute by Breidis Prescott.

Those who witnessed that defeat will tell you that those boos were accompanied by shocking racial epithets. It was the same when Khan beat the great Mexican Marco Antonio Barrera two fights later. In 2010, Khan was quoted in The Times as saying that had he been white, he would have been a superstar.

Six years later and six years wiser, Khan claims he didn't mean it how it came out. But he does acknowledge that it has taken plenty of time to be accepted by the British public, and that he is partly to blame for the ambivalence.

"I feel totally different now," says Khan, who is stepping up two weights to challenge Alvarez for the WBC middleweight title in Las Vegas on Saturday.

"It was going to take a little bit of time, what with 9/11, the London bombings and everything that's happening around the world.

"But now I get a lot of love from all over the world, including more from the English people than I ever thought I'd get. I've won an Olympic medal and a world title [in the pro ranks] so they see me as their own.

"And when I was young, I was buying flashy cars and getting into trouble for doing silly things [in 2007 Khan was convicted of careless driving after hitting a man on a pedestrian crossing and in 2008 he was banned for speeding].

"Sometimes when you're a famous name you forget there are millions of people watching. But I'd dreamed of having lots of money, a nice car and a nice watch. It was all new to me and I think it would have happened to anyone."

Khan soon realised that after the fifth or sixth glance of that diamond-encrusted dial on his wrist the happiness those glances initially elicited started to recede. And so he started searching for more lasting forms of happiness elsewhere.

His Amir Khan Foundation has been involved in helping after various disasters across the globe, including the recent floods in Carlisle, earthquake in Pakistan and the 2014 Taliban school massacre in Peshawar, in which 132 children were killed.

"I've got a little girl myself [Khan's wife, Faryal, gave birth to Lamaisah in May 2014], so walking into that school, where just days before innocent kids were being killed, sent shivers down my spine.

"But visiting the injured kids in hospital and seeing the smiles on their faces, because they knew who I was, was something that will stay with me for the rest of my life. I want to be remembered as a people's champion, somebody who helped the community, not just someone who bought nice cars and watches."

While Khan was helping the world and finding himself, his boxing career was drifting. Having won the WBA light-welterweight title in 2009 and then adding the IBF belt in 2011, Khan was outpointed by Lamont Peterson in controversial fashion, before a knockout defeat by Danny Garcia sent him tumbling down the rankings.

Since that defeat by Garcia in July 2012, Khan has fought only five times. Between this sprinkling of fights and his charity work, Khan seemed to be wishing his career away. Potential fights against Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao proved to be mirages, leaving Khan apparently with one option: a domestic blockbuster against IBF welterweight champion Kell Brook.

When he announced he was fighting Alvarez instead, it left pretty much everyone in the fight game reeling, not least Brook and his promoter Eddie Hearn. The overriding reaction? "Nice work, Amir, albeit utter madness."

Amir Khan is a changed man as he looks to upset Saul Alvarez and claim his world title - BBC Sport

[Master]

De la Hoya: Khan a 'superstar' if he beats Alvarez
Oscar de la Hoya believes Amir Khan will become a boxing great if he beats Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez after moving up two weight divisions.

Khan faces Mexican WBC middleweight champion Alvarez in Las Vegas on Saturday and De La Hoya, a former 10-time world champion, says going up in weight classes is something the Briton needs to do in order to "make a name for himself".

This clip was first broadcast on 5 live Sport, Tuesday 3 May 2016.

BBC Radio 5 live - In Short, De la Hoya: Khan a 'superstar' if he beats Alvarez

[smashup]

Khan deserves Massive respect for taking this fight - he's a throw back fighter willing to fight anyone and everyone regardless if he know's full well they are "Big Punchers"
I've never bought into this "Chinny" Bullshit either, the guys been hit HARD by some massive punchers but has never been out cold and always gets back up somehow.
The list of ring "Legends" who have been put on their ass more than once is too long to mention too, i mean did anyone call Calzaghe "Chinny" even though he was decked more than once in his career?
This could easily be fight of the year for loads of different reasons and i firmly believe Amir can win this by a massive points margin.
He can't lose either and will fight another day win, lose or draw.
Even if he gets banged out inside a minute the Brook fight is always gonna be there for him and another massive payday.
Amir Khan is hands down the most entertaining fighter to represent the UK in the last decade and has been in some cracking fights.
Don't be surprised if Amir wins this by a landslide points decision.
Looking forward to this one

[oakleyno1]

Khan deserves Massive respect for taking this fight - he's a throw back fighter willing to fight anyone and everyone regardless if he know's full well they are "Big Punchers"
I've never bought into this "Chinny" Bullshit either, the guys been hit HARD by some massive punchers but has never been out cold and always gets back up somehow.
The list of ring "Legends" who have been put on their ass more than once is too long to mention too, i mean did anyone call Calzaghe "Chinny" even though he was decked more than once in his career?
This could easily be fight of the year for loads of different reasons and i firmly believe Amir can win this by a massive points margin.
He can't lose either and will fight another day win, lose or draw.
Even if he gets banged out inside a minute the Brook fight is always gonna be there for him and another massive payday.
Amir Khan is hands down the most entertaining fighter to represent the UK in the last decade and has been in some cracking fights.
Don't be surprised if Amir wins this by a landslide points decision.
Looking forward to this one

Agreed - he is so unliked by the UK (but loved in the US I hear) - Wears the British flag with pride - and is all action win or lose.

I can;t see him winning - but would be really happy if he does!

It's the perfect betting senario really- I bet on Alvarez to win early - if he does I win cash - if he doesnt - Khan is doing better than I thought! Ha.

[SugarBoxing]

I see Canelo putting a very solid performance, working the body for 6 rounds and destroying Khan by a KO, or TKO after a KD around 7-9. It won't go the distance

[Primo Carnera]

Khan deserves Massive respect for taking this fight - he's a throw back fighter willing to fight anyone and everyone regardless if he know's full well they are "Big Punchers"
I've never bought into this "Chinny" Bullshit either, the guys been hit HARD by some massive punchers but has never been out cold and always gets back up somehow.
The list of ring "Legends" who have been put on their ass more than once is too long to mention too, i mean did anyone call Calzaghe "Chinny" even though he was decked more than once in his career?
This could easily be fight of the year for loads of different reasons and i firmly believe Amir can win this by a massive points margin.
He can't lose either and will fight another day win, lose or draw.
Even if he gets banged out inside a minute the Brook fight is always gonna be there for him and another massive payday.
Amir Khan is hands down the most entertaining fighter to represent the UK in the last decade and has been in some cracking fights.
Don't be surprised if Amir wins this by a landslide points decision.
Looking forward to this one

Agreed - he is so unliked by the UK (but loved in the US I hear) - Wears the British flag with pride - and is all action win or lose.

I can;t see him winning - but would be really happy if he does!

It's the perfect betting senario really- I bet on Alvarez to win early - if he does I win cash - if he doesnt - Khan is doing better than I thought! Ha.

Gotta disagree with just about everything in the above 2 posts. So much so that there are far too many points to pick out.But I suppose that's what makes the World go round.

[smashup]

No go on please point them out I'd like to hear your views. Its a boxing forum after all so crack on

[Batman]

If Khan does win tomorrow I will give all the credit to Virgil, he is one cool cat.

[Primo Carnera]

No go on please point them out I'd like to hear your views. Its a boxing forum after all so crack on

Ok, here goes, but forgive me, it may be long.
1. "Khan deserving respect, willing to fight anyone" - I respect his business sense,getting £9 million for a fight you're supposed to lose and still having a major payday is Christmas come early. He wasn't willing to fight Brook or Garcia at his supposed weight for World Titles, and hasn't fought anybody with power since Garcia sent him to sleep.
2. "Chinny bullshit." - Yes, everybody does get tagged and indeed floored. What Khan's problem is, is his natural reaction/instinct. He doesn't regroup, he fights with no defence and no brain when he's been buzzed and then gets put to sleep. If you've been decked , you should hold, smother your opponent's work, whatever you need to do to buy time.
Khan in the 10 th against Maidana when he was hurt, starts calling Maidana on as he is falling backwards losing his balance.
3. "Massive points win for Khan" - if Khan is such a skilled fighter, how come he couldn't stop Algieri or Peterson from keeping coming forward?
4. "most entertaining fighter of the last decade"- really? I never found him particularly entertaining against Algieri, Alexander, Collazzo, Diaz and Molina? Infact he only offers entertainment value when he's being sparko'd.
Thanks for your time.

[Batman]

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[Mr140]

Should be a fun fight to watch atleast but hoping that GGG can get a fight after words. I think Canelo is going to win but i mean it will be a fun fight to watch though so i will be watching it even if it does not make most sense. Just hope the right matches are made after worsds atleast we will have to see.